Green Hairstreak

Scientific Name - Callophrys rubi

Flight Period - April to June

Overwinters as - Pupa

Habitat - Unimproved grassland, woodland rides, abandones quarries

Larval foodplants - Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Dogwood, Common Rock-rose

Conservation status - BC priority medium

Northamptonshire distribution - Localised

Best public sites to see them - Fermyn Country Park, Fineshade Wood, Old Sulehey and Ring Haw, Twywell Hills and Dales

The Green Hairstreak is a rather localised butterfly in Northamptonshire. It is chiefly associated with some of our grassland sites, particularly those that occupy former quarry sites in the northern half of the county such as Fermyn Country Park, Old Sulehey and Ring Haw and Twywell Hills and Dales. They are also quite often recorded along the rides in Fineshade Wood. As this is the only Northamptonshire butterfly that is green it is quite unmistakable and is easily identified, even in flight. They can also be rather territorial, and a Green Hairstreak disturbed from its perch will very often come back to the same place. In keeping with the other butterflies that rest with their wings closed the Green Hairstreak will readily tilt its body to maximise the warmth of the spring sunshine.

Green Hairstreak Distribution 2018 - 2022

Green Hairstreak

Green Hairstreaks mating

A Green Hairstreak tilting its body towards the sun

Although Green Hairstreaks are often perched on bushes they can also be found crawling around in the undergrowth